Knowledge
Knowledge is what a disciple understands to be true. Before belonging to Jesus Christ, people neither seek truth nor understand truth (Romans 3:11). Because they do not possess the Holy Spirit, they cannot understand spiritual things (1 Corinthians 2:14). The Bible describes this condition as “foolishness”—being dull to the wisdom and ways of God. In fact, the fool denies the existence of God, despises correction, hates instruction, is impulsive in passions and decisions, speaks proudly and is bent on destruction (Psalm 14:1-2).
However, when a person turns to the Lord, He gives them His Holy Spirit who, in turn, gives them the “mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:12, 16). With this new spiritual disposition, the Christian is able to “grow in the knowledge of the Lord,” increasing understanding of God and His ways (Colossians 1:10, 2 Peter 3:18). Though the accumulation of knowledge may be nothing more than the mere appearance of maturity for some people (1 Corinthians 8:1), for the truly mature it is the foundation for their spiritual zeal (Proverbs 19:2, Romans 10:1-3). As they read God’s Word, they desire, understand and apply spiritual truth that sets them free (John 8:32).
The Bible, in its 66 books, is filled with life-changing truth. But in a limited discipleship relationship, there are some truths that must take priority for the growing believer. At Central Bible Church, we refer to Core Beliefs—essential truths that every Christian must understand. Many of these competencies were originally proposed in The Connecting Church, by Pastor Randy Frazee. I suggest a modified list here:
Authority of the Bible — The disciple knows that God has specially revealed Himself through His inspired Word and that the Bible has the right to direct a person’s beliefs and actions.
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13)
Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar. (Proverbs 30:5-6)
The Church — The disciple knows that the church is the assembly of the saints who gather in community, are equipped for ministry and are sent into the world with a mission to make God known.
For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—Whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—we were all given the one Spirit to drink. (1 Corinthians 12:13)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
Eternity — The disciple knows that all people are immortal and will spend eternity either in the blessed presence of God or forever separated from Him.
Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment… (Hebrews 9:27)
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. (1 Corinthians 15:20-23)
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.… Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (Matthew 25:41, 46)
Holy Spirit — The disciple knows the person and work of the Holy Spirit, especially in regards to His ministry of conviction, calling, conversion and changing people.
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. (Ezekiel 36:26-27)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. (Romans 8:9)
Humanity — The disciple knows the value of all people, their moral condition that separates them from God and the universal need for rescue made possible only through God’s Son.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:13)
…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… (Romans 3:23)
Identity in Christ — The disciple knows their new position as a child of God and learns to confidently and humbly live out of this position, resisting the lies of the devil and being fully assured of their salvation.
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1)
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)
Jesus Christ — The disciple knows the person and work of Jesus, including His incarnation, death on the cross and resurrection from the dead.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. (John 1:1-4)
In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. (Hebrews 1:1-4)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
Life Purpose — The disciple knows that they are a steward of God’s resources and have been redeemed to participate in God’s Kingdom purposes for God’s glory.
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. (Acts 20:24)
Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:24-27)
Personal God — The disciple knows that God exists; what God is like, including an appreciation of the Trinity; and that God’s purpose is to glorify Himself and build His kingdom.
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’” (Acts 17:24-28)
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4)
Salvation — The disciple knows that people come into a right relationship with God by grace through faith in His Son, Jesus.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:31)
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)